Wad column



July 2, 1963 H. E. CLARK, JR 3,095,317

WAD COLUMN Filed July 25, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

FIGS ATTORNEY HOMER E. CLARK, JR.

y 2, 1963 H. E. CLARK, JR 3,095,817

WAD COLUMN Filed July 25, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ins-$ R &

f gg FIG. l3 44 INVENTOR. HOMER E. CLARK, JR

QUQ w MW ATTORNEY nois Filed July 25, 1960, Ser. No. 45,135 2 (Ilaims. (Cl. 12--95) This invention relates in general to shotgun cartridges and, more particularly, to certain new and useful improvements in pre-assembled wad columns therefor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pro-assembled wad column for shotgun cartridges for expediting and facilitating the loading of same by individual users.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shotgun cartridge wad column adapted and designed for promoting the imparting of lubricant to the shotgun barrel in order to prevent leading thereof, as well as to inhibit pattern loss.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shotgun cartridge overpowder wad column adapted for integration with card wads and filler wads, and which may incorporate an obturating wad portion.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pre-assembled wad column which may be fabricated from molded plastic and adapted for desired longitudinal compressibility upon firing; which may be most economically produced; which is durable and reliable in usage; and which is adapted for do-it-yourself cartridge loadmg.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings (two sheets) wherein FIGURE 1 is a side view of a shotgun cartridge, a portion of the body wall being broken away, having a wad column constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the wad column illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the wad column of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view of another form of wad column constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal transverse section taken oritlie line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical transverse section of a further type of wad column constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a side view of a shotgun cartridge, a portion of the body wall being broken away, having an additional form of wad column constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a vertical transverse section of a still further form of wad column constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 12 is a vertical transverse section of another form of wad column constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 13 is a vertical transverse section of the wad column shown in FIGURE 7 but illustrating same with filler and card wads disposed therein.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings 3,h95,8l7 Patented July 2, 1963 ice which illustrate practical embodiments of the present invention, A designates a shotgun shell or cartridge having a base 1 and the usual tubular body 2 fabricated as of paper, metal, or the like. A primer assembly (not shown) is mounted in base 1 and thereabove, within body 2, is disposed a propellant charge 3 in immediately overlying and confining relationship to which is presented a wad column 4, shown in detail in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. As will be described hereinbelow, wad column 4 carries at its upper end a card wad 5 upon which is superimposed the shot charge 6, preferably of multi-missile character; the upper end of shell A being closed in any customary manner, as, for example, by infolding of body 2.

Wad column 4 is of basically cylindrical configuration and is relatively elongated with its length comparable to the combined length of a conventional obturating wad, a plurality of customary filler wads and a card wad. Said wad coiumn integrally incorporates at its lower end an obturating wad-defining section b, which embodies the structural features of the obturating wad set forth and described in my co-pending application Serial N 0. 778,093, filed December 4, 1958, now Pat. No. 2,986,998. The portion of column 4 upwardly of said section b, defines a filler wad section, indicated broadly c. Wad column 4 comprises a body having a continuous side wall 7 being open at its upper end and having a base wall 8. The lower end of side wall 7 constitutes a base flange 9 which on its inner face is upwardly and inwardly inclined as at 19. Flange 9 being relatively thin in its lower region provides a zone of flexibility for reasons presently appearing, and is spaced radially outwardly of base wall 8 and an inner circular side wall 11, which is presented upstandingly from said base wall 8 with its upper end merging into a fiat, annular shoulder 12 extending between same and side wall 7.

Projecting upwardly of base wall 8, within column 4, and co-axially therewith, is a tubular portion or hub 13, the upper end of which terminates spacedly below the up per end edge of column 4 and in alignment with a relatively shallow lip or upper shoulder s formed in the inner face of side wall 7. On the underside of base Wall 8 is a short, downward extension 14, coaxial with tubular portion 13 and of like diameter. Progressing from the upper end of tubular portion 13 through the lower end of extension 14 is a continuous bore 15 which is of relatively small diameter, being normally in the order of 1 millimeter.

Shoulder 12 divides the interior of wad column 4 into an upper, relatively extensive recess 36 communicating with the upper, open end of column 4 and a lower, relatively short, diametrically reduced recess 17. Radiating in general spoke-like formation from tubular portion 13, throughout its length is a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 18, having upper and lower portions l9, 19, which at their outer ends are respectively integral with the inner face of side wall 7 and inner wall 11. Ribs 18 thus connect the outer portions of wad column 4 with the central, tubular portion 1.3 thereby integrating or tying together the inner and outer portions of column 4 to provide a sturdy, composite structure.

Shallow lip s is spaced from the upper end of wad column 4 a distance substantially equivalent to the thickness of a conventional card wad 5 which will be firmly sup-ported upon said lip s as well as the upper end of tubular portion 13 and ribs 18, in providing a closure for the upper end of column For-med in the outer face of side wall 7 in its portion above annular shoulder 12 is a plurality of circumferentially extending, preferably staggered, outwardly opening recesses 26.

In assembled position within a cartridge, column 4 will be disposed directly upon the propellant charge 3 (see FIGURE 1) which latter will be received within the space intervening between base flange 9 and inner side wall 11;

with shot charge 6 being presented directly upon card wad 5.

Upon firing, the gases of explosion will, on expanding, immediately exert an outward pressure upon flange 9 to force same into sealing engagement with the gun barrel, preventing gas leakage. The flexibility of the lower end portion of flange 9 assures the substantially simultaneous development of a seal upon firing, as such relatively thin edge portion will, requiring relatively less pressure, be brought into engagement with the gun barrel immediately in advance of the upper thicker portions of said flange 9 and side wall '7. Under the force of the combustion and explosion gases wad column 4 will be subjected to an axial or longitudinal compression causing a temporary contraction which might normally develop into an undesirable buckling. However, with the present construction, ribs 13 effectively resist any tendency toward buckling and exert a radially outwardly directed force against the outer portions of wad column 4- so as to drive the upper port-ions of the sidewall '7 into sealing engagement with the gun barrel. It will be seen that a double sealing action is provided since ribs 18 serve to produce sealing by the upper portions of the side wall 7 while the lower portions are forced outwardly under the gas pressure operating against flange 9. In actual practice, it has been found that the outer peripheral surface of wad column 4 throughout its entire extent maintains sea-ling contact with the gun barrel so that actually a scrubbing action is developed.

Recesses 2."? are normally filled with a suitable barrel lubricant so that, as side wall 7 is forced outwardly against the barrel under the sealing action above described lubrication will be imparted to the barrel wall to prevent leading thereof as well as to prevent pattern loss. Consequently, during the course of the scrubbing action, the barrel wall will be continuously provided requisite lubrication to assist the cartridge shell therethrough without undesirable effects. A limited amount of gas will enter bore 15 and exercise outwardly directed pressure against the wall of said bore and thus assist in urging ribs 18 radially outwardly. Also, bore 15 serves to prevent development of undesirable air pockets with coincident pre sure within the shotgun cartridge, as it permits wad column to be rammed tightly against powder change 3, and with any displaced air being received within bore 15. It has further been found, in practice, that any gas which might escape upwardly at the upper end of bore 15 has the unexpected feature of materially assisting in the maintenance of the desired shot pattern.

Wad column 4 is of molded, unitary construction, being fabricated of compressible, plastic material. it has been found that polyethylene is the preferred material of construction, since it possesses the sturdiness, durability, and compressibility requisite for desired performance. By merely placing card wad 5 in position at the upper end of wad column 4, the latter is fully pro-assembled and ready for incorporation within a shotgun cartridge. Thus, as a single unit, it is inserted within the cartridge and materially facilitates the loading thereof, obviating the difficulties norm-ally encountered in the assembly of the customary various individual superimposed wads which must be located over the powder in requisite relative relationship. It should also be especially noted that wad column 4 does not incorporate the customary filler wads, as the space intervening between obturating wad section b and card wad 5 comprises the ribs 18 which thus also serve in lieu of filler wads.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6, there is shown another form of the present invention which comprises a wad column indicated at 24, being also of molded, plastic construction and of general cylindrical formation. W'ad column 24, being open at its upper end, incorporates a side wall 27, and a lower, obturating-wad portion b, having a base flange 2%, inner side wall 31, base wall 23, shoulder 32, and depending central extension 34, which correspond in all respects to the related portions of section 12 of wad column 4 above described. Projecting upwardly from base wall 28 is a short, tubular or hub portion 33, the upper edge of which terminates in alignment with shoulder 32; there being an axial bore 35 extending from the upper end of tubular portion 33 to the lower end of extension 34. Radiating from, and coextensive with, tubular portion 33, in a plurality of ribs 353, the outer edges of which merge into the inner face of side wall 3'1. Thus, the interior of wad column 24, upwardly of shoulder 32, constitutes a single, constant diameter compartment 39. Provided in the side wall 27, preferably in staggered relationship, is a plurality of generally rectangularly shaped openings as, which connect the exterior of wad column 24- with compartment 39.

In usage, wad column 24 is disposed within a shotgun cartridge in the same relative position as wad column hereinabove described, and the lower, obturating waddeiining portion 17' thereof functions in the same manner heretofore described with respect to corresponding portion b of said wad column 4. Received within recess 39 is a plurality of super-imposed, conventional filler wads (indicated in phantom lines in FiGURE 5), being fabricated of suitable absorbent material, such as felt, pulp, and the like, and being permeated with a barrel lubricant. It is recognized that a card wad (also shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 5) may surmount the filler wads in forming a closure for wad column 24, for presentation between the filler wads and the shot charge.

Upon firing, the force of the combustion and explosion gases will cause wad column 24 to contract longitudinally and under such forces of contraction the lubricant carried within the filler wads will be squeezingly forced through openings 4-0 for coating the barrel wall.

Accordingly, wad column 214 permits of ready preassembly, being dimensioned for snug reception of the filler wads and card wad, so that upon the insertion of the same a complete unit is provided the user for insertion as a single entity within the cartridge being loaded.

Referring now to FIGURES 7, 8 and 13, there is disclosed another form of wad column, indicated at 44, which embodies the present invention. Wad column 44 is similarly constructed of molded plastic and of the same general character and size as wad column 24 hereinabove described. Wad column d4, being open at its upper end, comprises a lower, obturating wad-defining portion 19, having the same elements as the corresponding portion b of wad column 24 and with an upper, single, constant diameter compartment 49 defined by a side wall 47 and a shoulder 52. Formed within side wall 47 is a plurality of spirally shaped openings as, extending from the upper edge of said side wall 47 to a point substantially coincident with shoulder 52. Said openings dtl serve as passages for flow therethrough of barrel lubricant forced, by compression of column 44 upon firing, from saturated filler wads res carried within compartment 49. Such lubricating agents will follow the spiral path of opening 69 to effect proper treatment of the barrel wall for preventing leading and assuring effective pattern development. Thus, wad column 44 differs from wad column 24 only in respect to the arrangement and configuration of the openings which connect the barrel wall with the interior of the wad columns so as to allow free movement therethrough of barrel lubricants. Wad column 44 permits of the same ready pre-assembly as by reception within compartment 49 of the filler wads Mill and surmounting card wad 101 so that the entire column, as a single unit, all as may best be seen in FIG- URE 13, may be bodily positioned within a cartridge being loaded.

Wad columns 4, 24 and 44 hereinabove described, are each uniquely designed and contrived to provide a multiplicity of desirable features not hitherto attained, such as, constituting an integrated pro-assembled unit permitting of ready and efficient cartridge loading so that such may be easily accomplished by the individual user; providing unique means for imparting lubrication to the barrel wall;

being amenable to high-volume, economic manufacture from molded plastic; and embodying an obturating wad for achieving a most positive and reliable seal through, what might be tern ed, air-wedging action.

Directing attention to FEGURE 9, there is shown another type of wad column 74, which comprises a molded plastic cylindrical body having a side wall 75, and a top wall 76; being open at its lower end, with its interior thus constituting a single, constant diameter compartment 77. The length or height of wad column 74 proximates the combined height of a plurality of conventional over-powder filler wads so as to fill the space between the propellant charge and the shot charge. Formed in the exterior surface of side wall 75, in the upper region thereof, is a plurality of circumferentially extending, relatively short, preferably staggered recesses 78, for receiving a supply of a suitable barrel lubricant. The lower, outer surface of side wall '75 is unbroken for providing a snug seal with the barrel wall upon cartridge firing.

In actual usage, there is received within compartment 77 of wad column 74 a single, enlarged composite filler wad 79 which at its upper end will abut against the under surface of top wall 76 and with its lower end being spaeedly located from the lower end edge of wad column 74. Said wad column 74 will be placed above the propellant charge a portion of which latter will be received within the lower end of wad column 74 filling the space between the lower face of filler wad 79 and the lower end of wad column 74. With reference to FIGURE 9, it will be seen that the shot change will be disposed directly, surmountingly, upon the upper face of top wall 76. Upon firing, the lower portions of side wall 75 will be driven outwardly into sealing engagement with the barrel wall to assure proper obtur-ating efiect, and with the radially outwardly directed force in the upper end being of sufiicient intensity to cause the lubricant within recesses 78 to coat the barrel wall to prevent leading thereof.

It will thus be seen that wad column 74 provides a most simple and yet reliable structure for permitting preassembly of the necessary over-powder wads to facilitate loading of shotgun cartridges. If desired, the single enlarged filler wad 79 may be replaced by a plurality of individual filler wads although, in practice, it has been found that the single wad is productive of desired reliability and promotes facility of assembly.

FIGURE 11 illustrates another form of Wad column 84 which comprises a side wall 85, top wall 86, being open at its lower end, and with its interior thus providing a single compartment 87, whereby said wad column 84 is essentially of similar construction as wad column 74 above described. Formed in side wall 85 in the upper portion thereof is a plurality of circumferentially extending, preferably staggered, generally rectangularly shaped openings 88, which thus connect compartment 87 with the barrel wall. Thus, in actual practice, a single enlarged filler wad or a plurality of filler wads, as the case may be, saturated with a barrel lubricant or inserted within compartment 87 of wad column 84 in the same relationship thereto as filler wad 79 with respect to wad column 74 and upon firing of the cartridge the forces of compression will cause the barrel lubricant to be forced from the filler wads for emission through openings 88 for effecting proper lubrication of the barrel Wall.

FIGURE 12 illustrates a further form of the present invention and shows a wad column 94 being a molded plastic cylindrical body having a side wall 95, top wall 96, and with the interior providing a single compartment 97. Formed in side wall 95 at preselected intervals throughout the entire circumference thereof is a plurality of spaced-apart, spirally extending openings 98 which progress from the lower end edge of wad column 94 to a point proximate, but spaced from, top wall 96. Upon firing, barrel lubricants carried by filler wads received within wad column 94 are forced outwardly through said spiral openings 98 for coating the barrel wall.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the wad column may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An over-powder, pre-assembled wad column for a shotgun cartridge comprising a substantially elongated tubular body being open at one end, said body having a transverse closure at the other end thereof, at least one filler wad disposed within said tubular body, said filler wad being permeated with a flowable lubricant, said tubular body having a plurality of relatively narrow, partispiral openings extending from the open end of said body to a point proximate the transverse closure.

2. An over-powder, pre-assembled wad column for a shotgun cartridge comprising a substantially elongated tubular body being open at one end, said body having an Obturating wad portion integrally closing its other end, at least one filler wad disposed in said tubular body, said filler wad being permeated with a flowable lubricant, said tubular body having a plurality of relatively narrow, parti-spiral openings extending from the open end of said body to said obturating wad portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 440,672 Wesson Nov. 18, 1890 499,487 Wesson June 13, 1893 621,697 Newell Mar. 21, 1899 1,039,774 Melander Oct. 1, 1912 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,975 Great Britain 1885 223,580 Germany June 24, 1910 600,772 France Nov. 20, 1925 720,795 France Dec. 12, 1931 1,058,615 France Nov. 4, 1953 Re. 70,218 France Nov. 10, 1958 1,186,659 France Feb. 23, 1959 1,187,370 France Mar. 2, 1959 550,295 Italy Mar. 17, 1956 563,555 Italy June 1, 1957 

1. AN OVER-POWDER,PRE-ASSEMBLED WAD COLUMN FOR A SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SUBSTNATIALLY ELONGATED TUBULAR BIDY BEING OPEN AT ONE END, SAID BODY HAVING A TRANSVERSE CLOSURE AT THE OTHER END THEROF, AT LEAST ONE FILLER WAS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID TUBULAR BODY, SAID FILER 